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Correspondence from Karl Germer to John Symonds
February 1, 1948.
John Symonds Esq. 19 Arkwright Road Hemstead, London N.W.3.
Dear John Symonds,
Your welcome letter gives me at last an opportunity to write you a letter direct which was intended for some time, and was not done because of extreme pressure of work. I understand that letters sent to me from Mr. Wilkinson [Louis Wilkinson], or Lady Harris [Frieda Harris], and concerning you as Literary Executor of A.C.'s Will, are being passed on to you, so that I presume you are fully informed.
Naturally, I'm seriously concerned about obtaining all the stored books at Whiteley's, and the books, papers, files, MSS. and other belongings that A.C. left, and which are under your control, just as quickly as possible. There is a particular reason for this: I would like to avoid any foreseeable complication, and I have not too much confidence in the situation of the world in general. This may sound to you pessimistic, and I wished in this you were right. If you can make the stuff ready for shipment, please notify me in time so that I can give final instructions. All my associates over here are waiting for these things, and we plan to set up a proper place where we can set up the estate, sort it, file it, and store it.
I had thought to be able to enclose with this a final word about certain financial arrangements, but I am still waiting for some news by cable.
Needless to say, I was glad to hear about your "Life of A.C.". You should have all the material for it at your disposal. I have a copy of the 4 vols. Of the Confessions [The Confessions of Aleister Crowley] here; what I do not have, and what you should have there, or may-be find at Whiteley's, is the only bound galley proof set of the Third Vol. of the Confessions. It was printed, I think in 1930, but then did not see the light.—I take it you have "The Legend of Aleister Crowley" by Stevenson.
As you have apparently discussed the matter with A.C. personally before his death, I take it you know his views. I don't know how such Copyright matters are handled. If you quote from A.C.'s published works, you will probably cite the place from where you quote. If from unpublished works, I suppose the proper way is to refer to the author and to the MSS.—I wish you would be good enough to confirm this and enlighten me generally. Is there not a way customary whereby the granting of the copyrights under these conditions places upon the publisher the obligation of supplying a certain number of copies of the book to the party giving the rights?
I would leave this entirely to your discretion.
Can you give me a clearer idea on the scope of the book? How many words? Do you have a sort of synopsis?
I will answer your question clearly: on the assumptions of the above paragraphs, I am quite agreeable to granting you the copyright for your book on the Life of Aleister Crowley, as Grand Treasurer General of the O.T.O. A final condition is, of course, that this quoting verbatim from A.C.'s unpublished works will in no way touch, or restrict, our later copyrights when we get ready to publish the books complete.
I am sending a copy of this to Mr. Wilkinson for his information and advice, and, if necessary, proper wording, when it comes to dealing with commercial Publishing Firms. I cannot endanger such a great heritage.
With fraternal greetings,
Sincerely yours,
Karl Germer
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